[RLK]

But the 62 gr. projectile is running out of steam at that range.

---------------------------

That cartrige should never have been used.

[donmeaker]

"But the 62 gr. projectile is running out of steam at that range. "

"That cartrige should never have been used. "

The cartridge was actually optimized for patrolling. Compared to the 7.62, tremendous quantities of ammunition could be used, permitting continued action far from supplies. Patrolling is the major combat activity of soldiers where there is no continuous front.

The Stoner 63 weighed the same with 800 rounds as the M-60 weighed empty. Lethal in close quarters, the outnumbered patrol could conduct a raid, ambush, or fighting withdrawal with great effectiveness. The propensity of the enemy (any enemy, not just the Vietnamese) to mine the approaches to their position made assualts, where close range stopping power, or the ability to shoot through light cover, of far less value. US defenses depended far more on machineguns than on individual riflemen. My infantry platoon in the 70s had 36 men and 8 machineguns.